Yesterday (July 22nd) in San Jose, CA the wonderful Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) organization hosted the first ever Step Up Revolution All Styles Dance Competition at which a talented young seven year old girl who goes simply by her first name Sarah wowed everyone and took the title with an impressive routine that blended various dance styles.

This hip-hop rooted dance battle was designed to help "get kids off the street and showcase the amazing dance talent in the Bay Area," said HHCF mainman Adissa Banjoko (pictured left with Sarah) who, for many years, has tirelessly worked as a mentor with youth via his hip-hop chess organization & other outlets. Yesterday's worthy event, in which the HHCF joined forces with Step Up Revolution Movie for Hip-Hop Dance Battle, helped raise money for school supplies for at-risk youth - something that is more important than ever in these financially challenged times for inner city school systems.

Sunday's event, which took place at San Jose's Alum Rock Youth Center, kicked off with a workshop by A-Game from the Hybrid Crew/Style Elements in which the renowned Bay Area Bboy taught an eager to learn young audience fundamental Bboy moves. Then came the all styles dance competition which was DJ’ed by Kool DJ Dizzy of All Tribes Zulu Nation chapter and judged by San Jose Bboy Anonymous and Funkee Asiatic of All Tribes Zulu Nation. The competition was, according to Banjoko, "conducted in an Iron Man format that came down to a face-off between poppers Shez and Maze, both representing San Jose. After a grueling 5 rounds Shez and Maze tied for first."

Oakland rapper/runner T-K.A.S.H., who will be among those running 26 miles in this Sunday's (March 25th) marathon at the Oakland Running Festival, has decided to utilize the event as a way to help bring awareness of the epidemic of gun violence in Oakland by recording the above song "Run" as heard above. "Oakland had 2000 victims of gun violence in 2011," noted T-K.A.S.H. who recorded the song as way to motivate young people to stay focused and fit, and hence maintain a more positive (IE non violent) outlook on life. The Hip-Hop Chess Federation, which is run by Adisa Banjoko, is among those sponsoring T-K.A.S.H. in the upcoming marathon. You can also sponsor him in the Marathon (as well as find out other info) by visiting the artist/activist's Facebook page. And for general info on the two day (Sat 24th & Sun 25th) Oakland Running Festival with the marathon on day two click here.

The competition, which is open to players of all ages and skill levels, is happening on May 17th in DC. There will also be chess classes for newbies plus classes in how to DJ, emcee, b-boy/b-girl, and a how-to create graffiti art class.

Inspired in part by the Wu Tang Clan and other hip-hop artists and fans' keen interest in the stimulating board game of chess, and taking its name from Public Enemy's classic album Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Bum Rush the Boards, was created to promote the idea of strategic struggle within the hip-hop generation. The event's organizers say their hope is to "harness the power of hip-hop culture and the science of chess to open the minds of a generation to a host of new options the world has available to them."
Last year in San Jose, a gathering of martial arts, chess, and hip-hop enthusiasts convened for a free hip hop chess exhibition/ grudge match -- also geared for all ages. That event had similar positive goals of wanting to teach hip-hop generation youth the mental benefits of the age old game of chess. The NorCal event, organized by the the InternationalHip Hop Chess Federation's Leo Libiran and Adisa Banjoko (pictured left), featured on the boards that day Banjoko, DJ QBert, Casual, Davey D, and Boots Riley of The Coup, among others. It was RZA who won the Hip-Hop Chess Federation belt at last year's tournament.